I disagree. I play tf2 quite a bit, and have been playing since before the free to play update. I actually started playing more often since the free to play update, because my friends who didn't want to spend $20 on the game can now play.

Other than the (rather common) offers of trade from people wanting my earbuds [1], I'm finding that I'm coming across players who are as skilled or more skilled than I am. I'm actually learning how to better play the game.

My enjoyment of the game has increased since TF2 went free to play.

[1] http://www.teamfortress.com/macupdate/earbuds/ My response to offers of trade for my earbuds is to ask for $600 in return, which is about the cost of a new mac mini.